Teach Young Afghan Women to Teach Afghan Girls

Educating A Generation with Your Donor Dollars

"Because we try from our hearts and we believe in ourselves and we have our parents with us." A student studying for her education

When you educate a girl in Afghanistan, everything changes. Your help in doing just that goes a long way by supporting literacy development in girls ages 5-22 in Northern Afghanistan. Thanks to donor support, we have been able to both build physical schools as well as develop programs with computers, libraries and a teacher training center that aims to bring more female teachers to rural areas. 

There are currently more girls enrolled in school than at any time in Afghanistan's history with females accounting for 36% of all students. We want to continue this trend and improve upon it until every girl is enrolled in school. The benefits are tremendous:  early marriage is delayed, maternal health improves and the economics of the family likewise improve because girls become employable upon graduation. 

The story below demonstrates what education can mean in the life of a girl.

Shazia is now 18 and was just accepted to the university after receiving a high school education at a school built with and supported by your donor funds.

 “I remembered when my father and mother helped me with my lessons every night and my parents asked me about my tasks and new lessons. I spent all my time going to school and studying my lessons.” She had the first position in her class all 12 years. She said: “I thought it was my duty to learn. "

Shazia is living with her family of 8. Her brother is studying in the Faculty of Agriculture in Balkh University. And her younger brother is in grade 12 in the top position of his class. Her three sisters are also students at the Ayni built school. And they are all in first position in their classes. Shazia said: “Why and how are we able to do this? Because we try from our hearts and we believe in ourselves and we have our parents with us. Parents are a very big power for the children. When they encourage you, you think you have the entire world behind you. I am very happy and lucky that I have my parents with myself.”

Shazia passed the Kankor- like the America SAT -  examination and is now proceeding to university. 

The is fantastic news and thanks to your support of our computer centers, library books and the buildings for Shazia to study in, her success is moving to the next level of education.

Shazia delayed marriage as well as early childbirth. It is a well known fact that an educated mother is more likely to ensure that her children also receive an education and thus break the cycle of extreme poverty and maternal illnesses. Shazia will likely go on to finish her degree and be able to contribute to her family's economic situation. With eight people to support, her efforts will make an enormous difference. She is an example of how educating one girl is having a ripple effect on the entire family. 

Thank you.

Because of your support, 50 young women from rural northern Afghanistan continue to be transported safely to our Teacher Training Center. The women attend teacher training classes six days a week and look forward to educating students from their villages after their completion of the two-year-long cycle. Each trip to the Teacher Training Center requires approximately 2 hours one-way. This level of commitment results in a sense of accomplishment and excitement as newly minted teachers enter their own classrooms.

“My father told me it was too dangerous and too far to go to Teacher Training. I graduated high school in my village and wanted to become a teacher. My family is very poor. If I can become a teacher, I will help them. I see what happens to the girls who stop going to school. They are married so early. With the transportation program, I can go to the center every week."   

This project will dramatically improve the long-term economic and social opportunities for these women. Training women to become teachers fosters their independence and raises their status, encouraging civic participation. And after graduation, when these 50 women attain teaching positions, they will be empowered by their income and ability to manage their budgets and make their own financial decisions.

The Asia Foundation conducted a public opinion poll in 2014 of Afghan citizens and when asked about the most pressing problems facing women today, Afghans consistently identified education and illteracy, a lack of job opportunities for women among the top concerns.

You have not only invested in these women’s independence, but also in the education of thousands of girls who are denied the opportunity to learn because there are no women to teach them. Many families do not allow their daughters to go to school if there are no female instructors, particularly in rural areas where conservative attitudes are deeply rooted. These 50 future teachers, who you have helped transport to our teacher training center, will impact an estimated 4,500 students a year upon graduation.

Your dollars impacted the lives of thousands of girls. We thank you for your support in helping us end the cycle of female illiteracy and in creating more opportunities to learn in rural Afghanistan. One female teacher has the power to change the future of girls’ education.